Do you have a sacred space that's just for you? That brings you tranquility, a reprieve from the outside world, and connection? That feels like a deep breath when you enter into it?
If not, I highly recommend creating one! It's easy and unbelievable the amount of joy and peace it will bring you. In this article, I'm sharing my sacred space–how I set it up, tools and books I keep in it and some self-care tips for making the most out of your space.
Contents
What is a sacred space?
Sacred space is simply a space you create that makes you feel connected, safe, and calm. It's a spiritual space that holds items and tools for self-care.
I like to call self-care sacred because for me, it's a non-negotiable aspect of my life. It's much deeper than painting my nails or giggling while I dance around a room once a month like a lot of articles and books recommend for us women.
I'm not a teenage girl. I'm a grown ass woman who has birthed human beings out of her body and takes care of them on a daily basis, who manages the daily stresses of life, who helps supports her family financially while homeschooling and running a home, handling everyone's emotions in the family, including her own, while trying to somewhat maintain harmony and peace.
Painting my nails or giggling alone in my room once a month just ain't gonna cut it. Actually the latter is something that will happen if I DON'T get my real self-care in.
Real self-care will sustain you. It will give you something to look forward to during those crazy moments during the day when you feel like you're about lose your shit. And it's truly a non-negotiable; we NEED it to be healthy, whole, and happy.
How to create a sacred space
This blog post is all about how to create and set up a sacred space within your home, no matter how small.
1. Choose a small spot in your house for your sacred space
My spot is actually just my nightstand!
The first thing I did was completely clean it out. I didn't want it to be junky or a place where random things are tossed. I do this every few months as well to keep the energy flowing in this space and so that it feels peaceful.
Clutter messes with you physically, mentally, and also spiritually. Make sure your space is clear and feels light. And the quietest corners of your living area is usually the best place to set up a self-care space if you can manage it.
I also like having my space next to the window because I burn a lot of incense and since I try not to smoke my husband out I'll usually open a window!
2. Decorate to soothe
I laid a white dresser cloth on top and began collecting things that helped soothe me, and then hung up string lights around my bed post which go behind my dresser and up the side of my lamp. Hidden under one of my incense burners is the Echo Dot; I find it perfect for playing soothing playlists and sounds without taking up much space.
I also added a salt lamp and absolutely LOVE the soft glow it provides.
Overhead lighting keeps us in a place of feeling overwhelmed even if we don't realize it. Our bodies need the dim lighting when it's dark outside or anytime we want to retreat to a dark room to de-stress.
I of course love purchasing candles too for the soft glow they provide.
I began collecting boxes and stands to hold my self-care items. I found the wooden box you see in the picture for a few dollars at Ross. It has beautiful etching on the top and just feels good in this space.
I also purchased incense holders as well as unfinished wood slices to hold crystals. I like to keep a lot of natural elements in my space because I find that it really helps to ground and soothe me. Especially during the months when I'm not outside much due to weather.
Other good ideas would be to put momentos in your space you hold dear; photos of loved ones, special trinkets, statues, totems, etc.
Inside my box I keep a few items from my sons (the giraffe and feather). These items hold their sweet little energy in them and I love keeping this close to me.
3. Add sacred self-care items
This will be unique to you and what you find sacred. For me, self-care is pretty much a spiritual thing. It's connecting with the Universe/Source/Mother Earth/my higher self/my spirit guides/etc. It's a place and time to reflect and get in touch with what I'm truly feeling and needing.
Books are a great self-care item. Think about what you're needing or are interested in exploring, and get a few books to add to your space. I love morning reflection books; they're quick reads once a day that help give me a bigger perspective and bring me out of my own head.
Most mornings, I have a little self-care routine that I do which includes burning incense, reading a page from one of these books, and filling out a morning worksheet.
I frequently document my routine on Instagram as well if you ever want some self-care inspiration.
I also highly recommend a journal. The thing I love most about self-care is that I can go within and get whatever I need.
If I'm having a problem, if I've been feeling out of sorts or upset over something, I know that I can journal and receive an answer. There is no guru, spiritual person or book that you need in order to figure anything out; all of the answers you need are within.
If you haven't noticed yet, crystals are another one of my favorite self-care items. I do consider them self-care because crystals hold very high levels of pure energy (they're used in our CELL PHONES) and their energy helps to reset ours.
Sometimes when I'm feeling burnt out or stressed, I'll lay on my bed and lay rose quartz on my forehead down to my heart. It's an energetic shift that's hard to put into words, but I feel calmer and at ease.
My husband loves when I lay crystals on him as well. I wrote more about crystals here in this post if you'd like to learn more about the science behind crystals.
Another one of my favorite self-care items is aromatherapy. I LOVE me some incense. The smell of good, quality incense is an instant ethereal yet grounding feel. I also instantly feel like I'm in a sacred space when I light incense, so it's good for not only stress relief but for spiritual purposes as well.
Essential and anointing oils are my other favorite aromatherapy. Here's a few from my growing collection.
I love clearing sprays that are a combination of distilled water and essential oils or herbal essences, and usually they have small crystals in them as well. I mist these around myself and feel clearer and lighter; it sort of feel like misting on a clean slate. I also visualize the day's negative energy being dissolved and it helps to ground me as well.
Essential oils can be diffused (that little ceramic circle with a red dot in the middle is an essential oil diffuser), they can be inhaled from the bottle or rolled onto pulse points. They can also be used for spiritual purposes.
I've gotten most of these items from this subscription box which I've been subscribed to now for the last year. You can also check out my blog post here for a list of the best witchy/spiritual subscription boxes (my favorite way to collect all of these tools).
The last item I'll share with you is my little stash of oracle cards. If you aren't familiar with them, they're an amazing way to receive spiritual guidance (regardless of what you believe that higher power is, it could just be your subconscious mind).
I pull cards to receive guidance, advice and support. I wrote an article here about my favorite oracle decks.
I HIGHLY recommend Sacred Rebels if you're a "soulpreneur", Goddess Guidance for thorough but more general guidance, and Daily Guidance from your Angels for quick daily card pulls.
I have really connected and gotten amazing readings from all three of these decks.
4. Visit your sacred space at least once a day
My last tip–actually utilize your beautiful, new sacred space! It's your retreat from the world! Take special care of it. Bless it, smudge it, keep it feeling special to you.
Self-care is a daily activity that we all need, and with a sacred space set up, it's much easier to remember to take care of yourself and to find a reprieve from the world.
Do you have a sacred space? What do you keep in yours that helps you de-stress and ground? I'd love to hear about it!
Jessica Dimas is the creator of Manifesting Magic with the Moon. Connect with her on Facebook and Instagram for more inspiration and updates.
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Zennia Hall
This is *such* an important (and often overlooked) aspect of self care, in my opinion!
I've had such great payoff from setting aside my own self care space that I even included a whole section dedicated to its importance in my self care e-course.
My self care altar is situated facing the north (to keep me grounded), and is home to my shadow work journal, my adult coloring books, my red tent candle, and a cork board where I post a list of my intentions for each lunar cycle.
I spend time at my personal altar every morning with my cup of coffee and my Journey of Love oracle deck.
Seriously, I cannot recommend setting up a sacred self care space enough. And yours is very lovely and soothing, Jessica! So inviting. ^.^
Jessica Dimas
I love that you have yours facing north, what a good idea! I'm going to have to check out Journey of Love oracle deck. I also love the items you have in your space, especially the intentions for each lunar cycle on a cork board, another great idea! Lots of love to you, thank you for commenting xo
courtney
I’ve been making self care a priority and it has helped me so much! i i’ll be 21 next month and i have a job, a four month old son, and i’m a third year full time college student. Safe to say i don’t have much time for myself! I agree, self care is non negotiable. in the past, i never took care of myself and that caused really bad burn outs and horrible weight loss and fatigue.
I have a sacred space I visit! It’s somewhat similar to yours but not exactly alike! however you did give me some great ideas 🙂 Mine is a desk that i only use for this purpose. It’s kind of a work in progress but it’s coming together well 🙂 i have a crystal salt lamp, crystals, a couple books (i’m currently reading The Magic). i have a dream catcher hanging on my wall, a candle, my journal, a photo of my son, and that’s basically it but i’m progressiively adding to it! my space is also very spiritual and helping me connect with myself and everything. I am planning to get oracle cards i just haven’t found the right deck for me yet!
peace and love xoxo
Jessica Dimas
I am so impressed that you're not even 21 yet and already so knowledgeable about self-care and have created a sacred space for yourself. You must be an old soul <3 The Magic is one of my favorite books! Your space sounds beautiful, thank you for sharing what you have in yours. Good luck finding the perfect oracle deck, lots of love to you xo
Regina
Hi Jessica,
I'm a relatively new follower to your blog. I read your blog posts because you come across as sincere and true. In a very noisy internet world, for me that stands out.
I just wanted to leave you a comment that I thought this post was really awesome. I think many times when we think about creating a sacred space it can feel like, 'where do I start?' or we think it has to be big, beautiful and grandiose. You put it down here all so simply and yet it's clearly meaningful to you, clearly sacred. That's what is the key, the sacred aspect of it, not necessarily how big it is or how much space it takes up or how many objects it has.
I used to have a sacred space for many years but since we moved into our new home (and some other moves/changes) I haven't created this specific special spot for myself. Your post has inspired me to set that back up again :-). I'm thinking either my nightstand or my bathroom!
P.s. I love Kate's Magic, it's truly magical!!
Jessica Dimas
Hi Regina,
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a nice comment, it means a lot to me that you think my blog stands out in this noisy world.
I completely agree, I think it’s easy to get caught up in the idea that you need this large, devoted space full of spiritual items that you may not even have a connection with. I think your nightstand or bathroom would be perfect! The bathroom is actually another area that I like to keep stuff too because it’s sort of a reprieve from the world in my opinion.
Thanks again for your comment and have fun setting your space up!
Debbie
You are so genuine. Everytime I read your emails they are so inspiring. Thank you for taking time out of your very busy life to connect with us.
I don't actually have a sacred space, however, after reading this I noticed that my nightstand is already a sacred space. Imagine that!
Thanks again!
Jessica Dimas
Hi Debbie, thank you so much for that feedback, that’s honestly one of the best compliments I could receive.
Yes, I agree the nightstand makes for a perfect sacred space and that many of us make it a sacred space without even realizing it; I know I definitely did!
Thanks again so much for your comment, I enjoyed reading it!
Vanessa rose
I have a dressing room with a vintage dressing makeup table and chair in it and guess I am slowly turning it into a sacred space, I have crystals and a salt candle holder and some other items that are close to me, I never considered it my sacred space ,but now I will,.thank you 🙂
Jessica Dimas
Oh I loooove that Vanessa. Yes, that would make a beautiful sacred space <3
Carie
Thank you so much for this post! Where did you get the beautiful moon mobile that's in your pictures?
Poppy
What a great blogpost! I love it ?
Sheri
Thank for another great post. I have a space set up in our bedroom, I recently moved in with my boyfriend. I don't feel it's sacred to me, I'm finding the bedroom is full of laundry, folding, the tv and other messes I'm not relaxed in there. This post has spurred me on to do something about that, move some things around and like some ladies mentioned I will convert my nightstand (doubles as my dresser, bonus space) into my sacred space.
Kimberly
This was awesome...thank u
I learned so muchki
Jessica Dimas
Glad you enjoyed it, thank you for commenting <3
Desirae
Hi Jessica,
I wanted to just bring some of my gratitude your way. This is the last post I have read of yours, I discovered your blog last night and its now 5:30am; time for MY morning routine before my almost 4 year old has to be up for preschool. I binged your whole blog overnight, 'Netflix style', I just couldn't get enough! I'm on Pinterest a lot and recently have been going through the dark night of my soul..(I very well may still be in it or towards the end, which I learned was possible through your post on it haha) I pretty much figured it was over just because the 'worst' was over, however I am still experiencing a lot of self-limiting beliefs at this crossroads for how to propel my life towards my goals. (divorce, moving states, living with family, recovering from major surgery, etc) BUT I started connecting spiritually in pretty muuch the same way you do around November and my empathic nature resonated so much with this path! I have been improving daily on how to incorporate my spiritual practice into all aspects of my life. I even made my daughter an oracle card deck for us to connect and teach her some positive ways to view herself and the world!
I just wanted to say that your blog has been the most relatable and 'real' that I have read over the past 3 months - and I read a LOT of them. I feel that, although useful and heartfelt, most other bloggers speak from knowledge as if they were taught and then came straight to the internet to talk about it, and not from experience. You have a testimony in all of your posts that is backed by humble knowledge. (you also recommend books which is the first I have seen)
It has been super uplifting and encouraging due to the nature of your blog being incredibly similar to the type of business I am wishing to open (cue the self-limiting talk) - I have taken pages of notes and saved your post of affirming manifestation quotes to implement in my daily life to make happen what I haven't been allowing for myself for years. It is comforting to resonate with the human side of a spiritual person and gain understanding that even once you go through a spiritual awakening, life is not perfect (though filled with MUCH more joy and intention, I'm sure)
Anyway! Keep up the loving, genuine posts! I'm excited to apply some of your techniques in my own life and lookig forward to the Self Care Sunday emails!
-all my thanks-
Desirae
Jessica Dimas
Hi Desirae, just seeing your comment-thank you so much!! I gratefully received your words and I'm so happy you were able to find so much inspiration here. I'm happy to hear your life has been improving after going through so much. All of those things create such beautiful vulnerability, and such a deep well for love and appreciation. Thank you for taking the time to leave such a thoughtful and open comment, I thoroughly enjoyed receiving it! <3